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The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the leaves a golden yellow hue.
Inside the forging room, Tian Yu was still fiddling with puppet dolls, his hands working rhythmically with practiced precision.
"Well… the items I made for Tsunade-sama are already done. I'll find the right opportunity to give them to her later."
Although he stayed home and didn't talk with Tsunade directly, Tian Yu could tell she was in a foul mood.
Since Tsunade had visited the Hokage Building yesterday, her aura had shifted noticeably.
She hadn't expressed her displeasure outright, but with Tian Yu's perceptiveness, her emotional state was hard to conceal.
How did he figure it out?
Simple.
Yesterday and today—two days had passed. Yet, Tsunade hadn't gone near a casino.
That alone confirmed to Tian Yu that something was bothering her.
As for the reason? Tian Yu hadn't asked.
After all, Tsunade had personally taken Tian Tian as her disciple—an immense gesture of goodwill that Tian Yu would never forget. As such, he chose not to pry.
Why didn't he ask her directly if something was wrong?
Because this was Konoha.
What kind of trouble could possibly stump Tsunade-sama in Konoha?
"Ding ding, dong dong!"
In the forging room, the clanging of metal rang endlessly, the hammer strokes crisp and rhythmic.
"I'm back!"
At the front door of Tian Yu's home, the door creaked open, followed by Tian Tian's energetic voice. But no one responded.
Tian Yu remained absorbed in his forging work. The family's ninja tool shop still needed to be manned, but neither Tian Tian nor their parents were home right now.
"My brother must be in the forging room. You guys wait in the living room—I'll call him."
The forging room was an important and private space for Tian Yu.
Even though Might Guy and Rock Lee weren't outsiders, Tian Tian was well aware that it was best not to let others casually enter her brother's work area.
"Hey, brother! Brother!"
Tian Tian didn't step inside. She stood at the door, shouting loudly.
"Teacher Might Guy, Xiao Li, and Neji are here to see you!"
"Hey, can you hear me?"
At that moment,
The hammering in the forging room paused briefly.
"I hear you. You keep them company—I'll come out once I finish up."
Tian Yu's voice came from behind the door, calm and composed.
He rarely entered his forging space at home unless it was necessary.
Occasionally, he still used the large-scale forging room his parents helped renovate.
After all, constantly pulling ninja tools out of nowhere would start to raise questions.
Besides, this newly expanded forging space symbolized his parents' encouragement and support.
Forging here brought them a sense of reassurance.
Every day, like clockwork, his mother would remind him:
"Don't forget to shower when you're done. You've been in the forge all day, your clothes must be filthy. Just throw them in the laundry—I'll wash them for you later!"
"Okay, got it!"
Tian Yu responded warmly, then resumed working, the steady rhythm of hammering filling the air once more.
Half an hour later—
Tian Yu wrapped up the forging session, cleaned up, and headed to the bathroom.
After tossing his sweat-soaked clothes in the laundry, he changed into a fresh set and walked into the living room.
"Yo, hello everyone!"
"Guy-sensei, it's been a while. Same for you, Xiao Li… and Neji."
Tian Yu smiled as he greeted Tian Tian's team.
Of them, he shared the deepest bond with Might Guy.
Xiao Li was energetic as always.
As for Hyuga Neji... it was unusual for him to come to Tian Yu's house personally, which puzzled Tian Yu. Still, he said nothing and offered a courteous smile.
"Tian Yu, you've grown taller again!" Might Guy exclaimed with a hearty laugh, scanning him from head to toe.
"Big Brother Tian Yu! Long time no see!!" Rock Lee shouted, excitement bubbling over.
Hyuga Neji, ever composed, gave a polite nod. "It's been a while."
"Big Brother Tian Yu, I heard from Sensei that you just completed an S-rank mission and are on leave?"
Xiao Li blurted out his curiosity without hesitation.
"So how was it, Big Brother Tian Yu? Was it tough? What's it like completing an S-rank mission?"
"S-rank missions are no joke. Don't underestimate the risks," Tian Yu replied seriously, cautioning Xiao Li against romanticizing the danger.
As someone younger, Xiao Li was at risk of forming the wrong impression.
Then, Tian Yu relaxed his expression and smiled.
"But I was lucky this time. I only completed it thanks to the coordination and support of my Anbu team."
"Eh? Big Brother Tian Yu… lucky? But S-rank missions are so dangerous…"
Just then, another voice chimed in.
"Lee, don't believe his modesty!"
Might Guy cut in with a laugh.
"He's not just lucky—he's the captain of an Anbu team, the strongest unit in the division!"
Might Guy leaned toward Xiao Li with a gleam in his eye.
"Don't fall behind Tian Yu! Keep training! Run 500 laps around Konoha upside down every day!"
"I believe in you, Lee!"
"Yes, Sensei!" Rock Lee straightened like a soldier, taking it as a direct command.
"Captain of Anbu… Tian Yu is already that strong?" Neji's eyes widened, betraying a rare moment of surprise.
"Hahaha, that's right!" Might Guy beamed. "Only shinobi of jōnin-level strength can lead Anbu squads. Tian Yu's treatment in Konoha is almost the same as mine!"
Neji stiffened.
He had known Tian Yu was powerful, but not this powerful.
"Guy-sensei, you're exaggerating. I can't possibly be your equal," Tian Yu chuckled, never forgetting the debt he owed Guy for teaching him the Eight Gates.
"Guy-sensei, Lee, Neji—it's been a long time. Stay for a bit. I'll run out and grab something good for us to eat. Let's catch up!"
He started to rise from his seat.
Having guests, especially someone like Guy-sensei who had guided him personally, meant he had to be a proper host.
"Hahaha, no need, Tian Yu!"
"We're not here for food."
"Lee and I just wanted to visit. And Lee hopes you can guide his training a bit."
"Guy-sensei, I…" Lee hesitated, worried about troubling his senior.
But Tian Yu smiled.
"Of course!"
Before Lee could finish his sentence, Tian Yu had already agreed.
"I've been wanting to see how far Lee's come."
"Shall we go now?"
After a brief pause, Tian Yu offered a suggestion.
"How about the No. 1 Training Ground?"
But the moment the words left his mouth, the group fell silent.
Especially Tian Tian, who hung her head slightly.
"…What's the matter?"
"The No. 1 Training Ground isn't usable," Rock Lee said sheepishly. "Tian Tian and Tsunade-sama kind of… destroyed it yesterday."
"Eh?"
Tian Yu turned toward his sister.
Tian Tian had already looked away, clearly avoiding eye contact.
"Not my fault… I told Tsunade-sensei not to go all out…"
She muttered, eyes still lowered.
"Okay… then how about the No. 2 Training Ground?"
"The graduation exams are coming up,"
Neji interjected. "The second and third training grounds are full of Academy students today."
Tian Yu frowned slightly.
"So… where to?"
"How about the Forest of Death?" Might Guy suggested with a grin. "No one will bother us there—it's the perfect place to train!"
"Hey!" Neji jumped to his feet. "There are wild beasts in there. It's too dangerous!"
"It'll be fine," Tian Yu said calmly. "Let's head to the Forest of Death."
Danger?
With both him and Might Guy—two elite jōnin—watching over Tian Tian and Rock Lee, what could possibly go wrong?
"Yeah! Let's do what Big Brother Tian Yu says!" Rock Lee cheered, completely forgetting Neji's warning in his excitement.
And Tian Tian…
(to be continued)
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